In India, pineapple farming is quite famous and mostly practised in the tropical and sub-tropical regions. It is the fifth largest pineapple producer in the world. Presently, India has an annual production of 14. 2 million tons. The leading producers of pineapple in India are West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tripura.
Pineapple is the most produced fruit in Assam because its climate and soil are most suitable for it. Talking about its global production, Colombia, Thailand, Philippines, Nigeria, Brazil, Mexico, and the USA are the leading producers.
Farmers often have questions regarding the pineapple farming process, like when they should plant, what conditions this fruit requires, etc. To answer these, we created this blog on pineapple farming techniques and prerequisites. First, let’s look at its advantages and some of the varieties that are available in India.
Pineapple Types in India:
Pineapples come in different shapes and sizes and are cultivated all over the world. Below is a table of some commercial pineapple varieties grown in India.
| Top Pineapple Varieties | |
| Kew | Giant Kew |
| Queen | Lakhat |
| Mauritius | Jaldhap |
Leading Pineapple Producers in India
Pineapple is usually grown in humid tropical regions. You can check the top pineapple-growing states in India below.
- Assam
- Meghalaya
- Tripura
- Mizoram
- West Bengal
- Kerala
- Karnataka
- Goa
Why Should You Eat Pineapple Daily?
Pineapples are known to provide several health benefits. Here are eight health benefits of this fruit.
- Rich in antioxidants
- Good for the digestive system
- Can boost the immunity
- Have anti-cancer properties
- Maintains blood pressure
- Reduces nausea and morning sickness
- Works as a natural energiser
- Good for skin and teeth
Steps to Cultivate Pineapple:
The cultivation process involves various steps such as soil preparation, planting, irrigation, pest-disease management, and harvesting. You can read these processes in detail below.
Weather Condition Requirements:
Pineapple is best grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. The optimal temperature range to grow pineapple is 20°C- 30°C. Its plant grows with moderate amounts of rainfall. However, the annual rainfall should not exceed 100-150 cm. They also require a lot of sunlight. Ideally, this fruit should be exposed to 6-8 hours of direct sunlight every day.
Soil Preparation:
Pineapples prefer well-drained, sandy loamy soil. The soil pH should range between 4. 5 and 6. 5. Proper soil preparation involves:
- Tilling: To enhance the aeration and root penetration, growers should plough the soil to a depth of 25-30 cm, using a plough.
To attach this implement, the farmer needs a powerful, fuel-efficient and versatile tractor like Eicher 380. The Eicher 380 price comes in a competitive range. It has a fuel tank capacity of 45 litres and is very useful in long hours of field use. This tractor saves time and labour work.
- Soil Amendment: Farmers should incorporate organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to enhance soil fertility.
Plantation:
Farmers can propagate the pineapples using suckers, slips, and crowns. Plants should be spaced 25-30 cm apart in rows. These rows should be 90-100 cm apart. Monsoon season is the best time to plant this fruit.
Irrigation Method:
While pineapples are relatively drought-resistant plants, a consistently moist environment is needed for the proper growth and ripening of fruits. Common irrigation methods include:
- Drip Irrigation: This method is the most cost-effective. It minimises the wastage of water.
- Sprinkler Irrigation: Appropriate in big plantations, it guarantees water distribution correctly.
Pest and Disease Control:
Control of pests and diseases is important for the enhancement of pineapple crop health. Common pests-diseases and their control measures are:
- Mealybugs: Farmers can use insecticidal soaps or even neem oil to keep this pest away.
- Nematodes: Soil solarisation and crop rotation can reduce the spread of this pest.
- Heart Rot: Phytophthora fungi cause this disease. It can be controlled by the use of fungicides.
- Fruit Rot: This problem can be prevented by the regular application of fungicides and constant assurance of field hygiene.
Harvest Time:
Farmers can harvest the pineapples after 1.5 to 2 years of planting. Indicators of ripeness include:
- Colour: They should have a yellow colour.
- Aroma: The sweetness and the aroma are indications of the ripeness of the fruit.
Farmers usually harvest this fruit by hand. They use a knife to cut the fruit from the plant. Additionally, growers should handle and store these fruits properly to enhance their quality and shelf life.
To transport these fruits from farm to market, farmers can use an Eicher tractor.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the demand for fresh and processed pineapples is rising daily. Therefore, farmers are adapting modern technologies to improve the yields and fruit quality. This not only provides a significant source of income but also contributes to the country’s economy through exports.
